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Historically, the mainstream branch of Mormonism, known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or LDS Church), has maintained an emphasis on the nuclear family as the most important aspect of religious expression. Although there are many negative stereotypes surrounding the Mormon Church and its treatment of women, the church provides a social structure that has at times been more helpful to feminism than other socioreligious structures. The Mormon Church remains a patriarchal, hierarchical institution that believes, above all, in the maintenance of the heteronormative nuclear family.

Women are expected first and foremost in the church to be good wives and mothers, supporting men as heads of the household and of the church. Women cannot perform the role of the priesthood-a position open to ...